Envelope for photosensitive material

ABSTRACT

An envelope for storing, handling and mailing of photographic film is formed from two sheets of material sealed together along three sides. The inner surface is provided with a moisture barrier layer having plastic fasteners define a substantially rectangular volume in the envelope for the reception of the film. One sealed edge of the envelope may be removed along a perforated line to enable the plastic fasteners to be separated for removal of the film.

U i United States Patent 1 [111 3,730,334

Tsu'i May 1, 1973 [54] ENVELOPE FOR PHOTOSENSITIVE 2,334,413 11/1943 Kerr ..229/71 MATERIAL 3,152,252 /1964 Wainwright et a1. ...206/62 R UX 3,51 1,990 5/1970 Hauss ..206/62 R X [75] ,Inventor: Aklra TSlljl, Kanagawa, Japan 3,620,361 11/1971 Fugiwara et a1 "206/521 [73] Assignee: Fiji Photo Film Co., Ltd., FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Kanagawa, Japan 403,336 6/1966 Switzerland ..206/62 R [22] Filed: Dec. 29, 1971 Primary Examiner-Samuel B. Rothberg [21] Appl' 213539 Assistant Examiner-Steven E. Lipman Att0rneyRichard C. Sughrue et a1. Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT Dec. 29, 1970 Japan ..45/l2l439 An envelope for stormg, handling and mailing of [52] U S 206/1 R 206/46 FM 206/62 R photographic film is formed from two sheets of 229/73 229/76; material sealed together along three sides. The inner surface is provided with a moisture barrier layer hav- [51] Int. Cl ..Bd 2.7/06, B65d 85/00 ing plastic fasteners define a Substantially rectangular [58] Fleld of Search ..150/3, 206/1 R, 46 FM, volume in the envelope for the reception of the fi 206/52 62 R, 36? 229/68 R, 73, One sealed edge of the envelope may be removed 77, along a perforated line to enable the plastic fasteners to be separated for removal of the film. [56] References Cited 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,840,908 1/1932 Lozier et a1. ..206/62 R X 5 I3 9 l2 9 l4 )1. 1 a 1 \1 A, y 1 I 1 n 1 a, 11 W1 l 1 4 1 1 x a ENVELOPE FOR PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an envelope for photosensitive material, and more particularly to a packing bag for photosensitive material serving as an envelope for mailing at the same time.

2. Prior Art In the conventional packing of photosensitive material, sufficient consideration has been given to moistureproofing, light shielding and shock-proofing so as not to affect the emulsion in the packing process, storage process, circulating process, marketing process, using process and mailing process. Further,

-additional consideration has been given to the stopper, shock absorbing material and the like a desiccant moistureproof, light shielding explanation of directions envelope for sending to the laboratory display effect, for exhibition in the shop-window, promoting a brand image, shock absorption protection of the developed film special accessory inner packing bag directions note mailing envelope outer packing box 7. returning film box and envelope Therefore, the conventional packing of the film has not always been satisfactory from the viewpoint of simplification or rationalization of the packing process in the factory, reduction of cost in packing expense, suitableness to the user and so forth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The primary object of the present invention, accordingly, is to improve the packing system of the photosensitive material such as photographic film.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved packing-envelope which is comprised of a single packing material and usable in all the processes from the packing process to the returning process by mail. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved packing envelope which protects the quality of the photosensitive material through the storage, circulating process, marketing process, using process, mailing and returning process and which contributes to the rationalization of the packing process.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of the conventional envelope for mailing the film for development process,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the envelope for photosensitive film in accordance with the present invention,

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the same with a portion thereof opened,

FIG. 4 is a back view of the envelope in accordance with the present invention, and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along a longitudinal direction of the envelope in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawing, the appearance of the envelope in accordance with the present invention is substantially the same as the conventional returning envelope for sending the film to the laboratory for processing by mail which has a decorative printing for display on the surface thereof. As shown in FIG. 5 the paper 13,13 of the envelope is provided with a decorative print 12,12 on the outer surface thereof and is provided with a light-shielding and moisture proof layer 14,14 on the inner surface thereof. The paper 13, 13' is a paper having a craft surface and a white back surface. The white back side surface of the paper is provided with the display printing and the brown craft side surface is coated with 10 to 20 of polyethylene layer for light shielding and moisture proof.

Further, the envelope of the invention is provided on the inner surface of the moisture proof layer 14,14 with a plastic fastener 4,4',4 and 5,5, 5" defining an area 17 in which the photosensitive material is to be packed. The elements 5, 5 and 5" are provided with grooves into which tongues on the elements 4,4 and 4 are press fitted. Within the area defined by the plastic fastener there are provided projections 9, 9 for preventing loosening of the film wound on cores engaged therewith. The projections 9, 9' are made of metal, paper, plastics, wood or the like and are fixed to the moisture proof layer 14. The general directions for usage of the film packed therein is printed on the back surface of the paper 13 in an area defined by the fastener and which is openable. The outer surface of the envelope is provided with the display print including the trade mark and other designs.

Referring to FIG. 2 showing the plan view of the envelope of the present invention, the reference numeral 1 indicates the envelope for packing the photographic film, 2 indicates a butterfly-shaped sealing member, 3

indicates a hole for fixing the butterfly member 2, the

numerals 4, 4, 4 and 5,5,5" show respectively half portions of the fastener which seals the prescribed portion for retaining the film 15. The sealed state of the fastener is shown in FIG. 5 in section. In the marginal portion of the envelope indicated at 6, 6', the front paper and the back paper are stuck togethervat the moisture proof layers 14, 14' so that the date stamp may be easily marked and the envelope as a whole may be made rigid. The edge portion 7,7' is a sealed portion which is made at the time of making the packing envelope from a sheet material and is provided at the side end thereof with a perforated line 8 for easily opening the envelope. The reference numeral 10 indicates a position for applying a stamp, and the sealed edge portion provides an area large enough to write the address and name of the sender on.

FIG. 3 shows the envelope of the invention with the said prescribed portion 17 defined by the fastener opened. On the back of the portion is printed a direction for usage of the film.

The above-described envelope in accordance with the present invention achieves the same effect with a single packing construction as that of the conventional packing system composed of several kinds of packing materials described hereinbefore.

In comparing the steps of using the film between that packed in the conventional packing and that packed in the envelope in accordance with the present invention, the opening operation of the conventional packing has required the following steps;

1. removing the stopper (member to prevent the rotation of the core of the film, and accordingly,-

loosening of the film wound up on the core),

2. removing the direction note,

3. throwing the outer box away, and so forth, whereas the user has to do none of these steps when using the film packed in an envelope in accordance with the present invention. The single envelope of the present invention is able to be used as it is during storage, circulation, marketing, using and sending of the film.

In the packing operation of the envelope of the present invention, the required steps are as follow;

1. putting the film therein,

2. closing the envelope,

3. completely sealing the envelope at the fastener, and

4. heat sealing the envelope at the portion 7.

During the circulating process and sending process, the fastener of the envelope will never open, and accordingly, the film never drops out of the envelope in such processes.

In using the film packed in the envelope of the present invention, the following steps are required;

1. tearing the original seal portion 7,7 off along line 8 2. opening the envelope at the fastener, and

3. taking the film out of the envelope.

After using the film, the following steps are taken;

1. putting the film into the envelope,

2. sealing the envelope at the fastener,

3. writing the address and name of the sender,

4. applying a mailing stamp,

5. fastening the butterfly fastener, and

6. putting the envelope into a mail box.-

Although the film will never drop out of the envelope during the sending process without the original heat seal 7,7, it is preferable to apply a piece of adhesive paper over the plastic fastener 4",5" so that it may not be opened intentionally.

At the laboratory receiving the envelope retaining a film to be developed, the following steps are taken;

1. disengaging the fastener 4,4,4, 5,5',5

2. taking the film out of the envelope,

3. storing the envelope for a necessary period to keep the address and name of the sender,

4. putting a reel on which a processed film is wound into the envelope, and,

5. returning the envelope to the sender.

What is claimed is: 1. An envelope for packing photosensitive material comprising an envelope body member sealed along three sides, a moisture proof and light shielding layer provided on the inner surface of the envelope body member, and plastic fastener means provided on said layer for defining and sealing a prescribed portion of the envelope interior for retaining photosensitive material, whereby the prescribed portion of the envelope is able to be opened and closed along said plastic fastener means.

2. An envelope for packing a photographic film as defined in claim 1 further comprising at least one projection secured to the surface of said layer for penetrating into an aperture in a core upon which the photosensitive material is wound.

3. An envelope for packing a photographic film as defined in claim 1 further comprising perforations disposed along one side of said envelope parallel to and disposed intermediate the edge of said envelope and said fastener means whereby a sealed edge strip may be removed. 

1. An envelope for packing photosensitive material comprising an envelope body member sealed along three sides, a moisture proof and light shielding layer provided on the inner surface of the envelope body member, and plastic fastener means provided on said layer for defining and sealing a prescribed portion of the envelope interior for retaining photosensitive material, whereby the prescribed portion of the envelope is able to be opened and closed along said plastic fastener means.
 2. An envelope for packing a photographic film as defined in claim 1 further comprising at least one projection secured to the surface of said layer for penetrating into an aperture in a core upon which the photosensitive material is wound.
 3. An envelope for packing a photographic film as defined in claim 1 further comprising perforations disposed along one side of said envelope parallel to and disposed intermediate the edge of said envelope and said fastener means whereby a sealed edge strip may be removed. 